A collage of Messi (2022) and Maradona (1986) holding aloft the FIFA World Cup trophy© AFP
Brazilian legend Pele stated Lionel Messi “deserved” to be a World Cup winner after Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout in Sunday’s last. “Right now, soccer continues to inform its story, as at all times, in an enthralling method. Messi successful his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved,” Pele, a three-time World Cup champion, wrote on Instagram.
Pele additionally hailed French striker Kylian Mbappe who scored a hat-trick within the last which had ended 3-3 after extra-time earlier than coolly slotting in a penalty within the shootout.
“My expensive pal, Mbappe, scoring 4 objectives in a last. What a present it was to look at this spectacle to the way forward for our sport.”
Pele additionally congratulated Morocco for changing into the primary African nation to achieve the semi-final and ended his message close to the late Argentine legend Diego Maradona.
“And I could not fail to congratulate Morocco for the unbelievable marketing campaign. It is nice to see Africa shine. Congratulations Argentina! Actually Diego is smiling now.”
Messi scored twice within the last in Doha, taking his tally of objectives on the match to seven, and in addition scored within the shoot-out as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties following a 3-3 draw after further time.
Kylian Mbappe got here second to Messi for that award however did win the Golden Boot for the match’s high scorer with eight objectives, one forward of the Argentine skipper.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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